from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Scioto Downs will honor retired USTA Stakes Director Carol Cramer and longtime USTA Publicity Director John Pawlak, recent inductees into the Communicators Hall of Fame, this weekend.

Cramer will be honored after the fifth race on Friday (July 11) while Pawlak will be honored after the seventh race on Saturday (July 12).

Cramer retired as a fulltime employee of the USTA in 2007, but remains active as editor of the annual Stakes Guide, a job she has handled for 45 years. She joined the organization in 1965 as project assistant to James Harrison in the publication of the first Care & Training of the Trotter and Pacer. In addition, she was advertising manager for Hoof Beats magazine and is a longtime Grand Circuit steward and secretary.

The multiple award-winning Pawlak joined the USTA in 1985 after serving as an announcer and marketing executive at Raceway Park in Ohio. His work with the USTA has ranged from writing to broadcasting, in addition to compiling and editing the annual harness racing fact book The Trotting & Pacing Guide. He also is known for his work coordinating the biennial World Driving Championship and the World Trotting Conference.